JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Demo studios info requested

See what happens with demo's and recording is everyone clumps everything together so it forces everyone to adjust.

Yes $1,500 is a lot for a demo but is it really? Actually you need to ask - What am I getting, I mean wouldn't you think to ask if your getting something that is broadcast quality? Maybe they needed to be more clear. $600 is good. However... many people think what they get for $200 $600 %1,000 is all the same as far as time & work goes. And it shouldn't be the same.
This approach forces those who do $1,200 + work to have to drop there prices very very low.

Take your song and you to a local studio with $500 or $600 in your pocket and see how far you get.

See people think demos online, so first you get the programmed drum beats, then it's midi this and that with a bit of live guitar over the top and vocals. No extra producing of the song.
All on a computer in a bedroom just like you have.

So you need to realize how creative someone is getting with your material and what they are doing with it.

Songwriters go to a studio to learn, if need be. Often you'll get block rate offers like this

10 hrs - $500 with You and the engineer.

If you want live players you either have to bring em or hire them. They still have to learn the song either way this all takes TIME.

Drummer - $100
Guitars - $100
Bass - $100
Keys - $100
Lead Vocals $100
Backing Vocals $100

10 hour Block time is $500 that's $50 an hour Recording,Mixing/editing/ mastering in 10 hours (NOTHING) you can talk or argue for four hours lol.

Total - $1,100 * And that's if you get all the recording, editing mixing and mastering done in 10 hours. Good luck with that.

Now even if you lower your players rates that means get more desperate players lol

Drummer $50
Guitars $50
Bass $50
Keys $50
Singer $50
Backing Vox $50

Total $300 plus

10 hours studio at $50 an hour $500

Total $800.00

Ever hear some $200 demos? It often sounds like a Casio playing background music with you lyrics to it.
That is fine but know that ahead of time, do not mix up having one guy program all your stuff with bringing in 5or six live players.

Some places use the "assembly line" system. They have too, this is the only way they can get live players all at the same day at the same time to work for less money. Do MORE songs in one day.
This makes it worth it for them to put a full day in.

And still the one running the session has so much editing or scrubbing to do. Also he may or may not master it for you.

Then on top of all this so many good singers want $200 to sing, so how you gonna do great demo's or recordings cheap?

You must really plan and think about what your goals are situation is and then how to approach your music and investment.